Abstract: A synchronous machine is operable in a starting mode of operation in which a magnitude of a parameter of power applied to a main generator portion armature winding of the synchronous machine is detected relative to a stationary frame of reference and is converted into field and torque producing components relative to a rotating frame of reference. A controllable power source coupled to the main generator portion armature winding is controlled during operation in the starting mode based upon the field and torque producing components.

Abstract: A combination generator and starter motor includes a rotor with an internal ring gear, a plurality of dual pinion gears which mesh with the rotor and two sun gears which mesh with the dual pinion gears. A large torque multiplication from the rotor to one of the sun gears is provided when the combination generator and starter motor operates as a starter motor. A one-to-one ratio of rotation between that sun gear and the rotor is provided when the combination generator and starter motor operates as a generator.

Abstract: A power converter that can be used either as a start converter or as a variabe speed constant frequency converter is utilized within a stepped waveform VSCF system having engine start capability. Interfacing with the converter are a load bus, a contactor, a field excitation controller and a starter/generator having a main generator, an exciter generator and a permanent magnet generator. Magnetic components and semiconductor components perform multi-functions and minimal degradation of input power quality occurs.

Abstract: A starting/generating system operable in a starting mode and in a generating mode utilizes a dual permanent magnet generator (DPMG) having a motive power shaft and an armature winding together with a power converter having an input and an output. Relays are operable in the starting mode to connect the output of the power converter to the DPMG armature winding and are operable in the generating mode to connect the input of the power converter to the DPMG armature winding. The power converter is controlled in the starting mode such that the DPMG is operated as a motor to produce motive power at the motive power shaft and is controlled in the generating mode such that electrical power developed in the DPMG armature winding is converted into output power.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric device operable as a generator for generating electricity and as a starter motor for starting an associated primary engine in a vehicle. The generator provides 270 Volt DC power during a generating mode while the primary engine is operating and may be used to restart the primary engine in the event that the primary engine is disabled. The dynamoelectric apparatus includes a main generator having a main generator field and a main generator armature. An exciter generator is included which has an exciter armature and an exciter generator field. A rectifier assembly is coupled between the exciter armature and the main generator field. A field shorting switch is coupled to the rectifier assembly and the main generator field for selectively coupling and uncoupling the rectifier assembly during a start-up mode to protect the rectifier assembly against high voltages and voltage spikes.

Abstract: A power supply device for electric vehicle. The power supply device includes an engine, transmission, generator-motor, power converting circuit, battery and alternating drive motor. In operation, the battery supplies a direct current to the power converting circuit which converts the direct current to an alternating current which is supplied to the generator-motor to start the engine. Thereafter, the generator-motor acts as a generator so as to generating an alternating current which is supplied to the drive motor via the power converting circuit. Additionally, the power converting circuit converts the alternating current to a direct current for recharging the battery. According to another embodiment of the invention, a rectifier is provided for converting the alternating current of the generator-motor to a direct current which is supplied to the storage battery and to a direct current load.

Abstract: A device for starting an engine and generating power comprising a frame attached to a main body of an engine, a stator core fixed in the frame and attached with a stator coil, a field core attached to an inner end face of the frame, having a clearance in the radial direction between the field core and an inner peripheral portion of the stator core and accommodating a field coil, a claw-pole type rotating field electrodes disposed between the stator core and the field core interposing air-gaps respectively among the field electrodes, the stator core and the field core, a driving shaft passing through an inner diameter portion of the field core and supported thereby through bearings, a planetary gear device interposed between a crankshaft and the driving shaft an end portion of which is fixed with a sun gear which decelerates and transmits first rotation of the driving shaft to the crankshaft in starting an engine and accelerates and transmits second rotation of the crankshaft to the driving shaft in generating

Abstract: A compact portable electrical generator powered by a gas fueled internal combustion engine. A combined starter and generator is coupled to the engine for starting of the engine and for generating electrical power when the engine is running. The engine includes a lubricating system including lubricant that is supplied from a separately insertable lubricant cartridge and which is pumped by a hose compressing type of pump so as to insure adequate delivery of small amounts of lubricant regardless of the orientation of the unit and also so as to insure that lubricant cannot leak from the system when the unit is not being operated.

Abstract: An engine starter and electric generator system transmits rotative power to a crankshaft to start an engine and generates electric power based on rotative power from the crankshaft after the engine has started. The engine starter and electric generator system includes a starter/generator operable selectively as a starter motor to produce the rotative power and a generator for generating the electric power, and an electric power supply device for supplying electric power to the starter motor. A power transmitting mechanism operatively interconnects the crankshaft and the starter/generator, for bidirectionally transmitting the rotative power between the crankshaft and the starter/generator. A transmission mechanism is disposed in the power transmitting mechanism, for changing the speed of rotation transmitted between the crankshaft and the starter/generator.

Abstract: An engine starter/generator has a rotor which rotates on excitation caused by an exciting winding, a speed reducer which reduces the speed of rotation of the rotor, a first clutch which transmits the rotation of the rotor, the speed of which has been reduced through the speed reducer, to an output shaft of an engine, and a second clutch which is disposed between the engine output shaft and the rotor to connect together these two members when the speed of rotation of the engine output shaft is greater than that of the rotor. The speed reducer and at least either one of the first and second clutches are disposed substantially axially in line with one another. This arrangement reduces the radial dimension of the engine starter/generator. It can, therefore, be disposed with in the engine room of a vehicle without difficulty.

Abstract: A vehicle power transmission apparatus having an engine starting function is provided which is small in size and has a high degree of freedom and accuracy in controlling torque transmission. The apparatus comprises torque transmitting means including a differential gear mechanism and having at least three (first through third) rotation shafts; an engine operatively connected with the first rotation shaft of the torque transmitting means; a transmission connected with the second rotation shaft for transmitting torque to a drive shaft of the vehicle; an electric motor connected with the third shaft of the torque transmitting means; a power transducer for controlling the electric motor; an electric power source for supplying power to the electric motor through the power transducer; and a controller for controlling the power transducer in such a manner that the electric motor operates as a power source or a load in dependence upon the operating condition of the vehicle.

Abstract: The problem of providing field power to a stationary main generator field winding (22) is addressed such that it can be used as a motor. A dynamoelectric machine (12) is operated as both a generator and a motor. An AC-AC exciter (14) is controlled by an exciter inverter (42) to operate as an exciter generator in a generate mode, and as a rotary transformer in a start mode. The exciter inverter (42) supplies low frequency power to an exciter field winding (28) in a generate mode of operation, and supplies high frequency AC power to the generator field winding (28) in the start mode of operation.

Abstract: A combined starter motor and alternator for a vehicular engine system can be positioned for direct coupling to an engine power shaft between the engine and transmisson. A pair of axially offset magnetically permeable disks are bolted to the power shaft. These disks form an annular channel therebetween. A plurality of rare earth permanent magnets are mounted on the inside face of one of the disks in the channel. Positioned within the channel is a stationary, ironless stator assembly having stranded conductive wire windings embedded in an insulation matrix. These windings alternatively pass from the perimeter of the disk towards the interior of the disk as each winding forms a single pass around a longitudinal axis of the power shaft. In a starter mode of operation, a polarity sensor, such as a Hall-effect switch mounted adjacent each stator phase winding, is used to control the driver switches of a conventional H-type arrangement for providing drive current to a starter motor stator coil.

Abstract: When a motor/generator is changed over from a motor mode to a generator mode, field current is minimized. In the generator mode, idling is performed until the engine temperature attains a set temperature, after which the field current is supplied. As a result, load upon an engine is lightened immediately after the engine is started and the risk of the engine stalling is eliminated.

Abstract: An excitation system for a brushless generator having a main generator portion including a field winding disposed on a rotor and an armature winding disposed in a stator includes an exciter portion having a set of polyphase exciter field windings disposed in the stator and an armature winding disposed on the rotor and coupled to the main generator portion field winding. A first power converter is coupled to the main generator armature winding and a second power converter is coupled to the set of polyphase exciter field windings. Contactors are operable in a starting mode of operation to couple a source of electrical power to the first and second power converters and are operable in a generating mode to disconnect the source of electrical power from the first and second power converters.

Abstract: An engine driven generator having an engine, a three-phase synchronous generator to be driven by the engine, a direct current power supply for actuating the engine, a direct current/alternating current power supply converter for converting a direct current power of the direct current power supply to an alternating current power and supplying the alternating current power to the three-phase synchronous generator:(1) characterized in further comprising a full-wave rectifier for rectifying an output of the three-phase generator and supplying the thus rectified output to the direct current/alternating current power converter; a switching unit for switching output terminals of the direct current/alternating current power converter to terminals of an outer device or output terminals of the synchronous generator; a rotor position detector for detecting a position of a rotor of the synchronous generator; and(2) characterized in that during the period when the three-phase synchronous generator performs the power gener

Abstract: This invention relates to an integrated drive generator of the type employed onboard aircraft for power generation and prime mover starting. Prior art integrated drive generators which provided for a prime mover starting mode drove a prime mover through a constant speed transmission in order to provide motive power to the engine. The present invention provides a power path for prime mover starting which couples the motor/generator directly to the prime mover and decouples the motor/generator from the transmission by means of properly oriented one-way clutches.

Abstract: A power conversion system utilizes a brushless generator driven by a prime mover when operating in a generating mode and drives the prime mover when operating in a starting mode. The system includes first and second bidirectional converter/inverter units, each of the bidirectional units being operable as either an AC to DC converter or a DC to AC inverter. A DC link couples the first and second bidirectional units. A transformer is connected to the second unit and the first unit is further connected to the armature windings, the transformer further being connected to the external power source. A control unit is connected to the first and second bidirectional units and causes the first bidirectional unit to operate as a converter and the second bidirectional unit to operate as an inverter when operating in the generating mode, and for causing the first bidirectional unit to operate as an inverter and the second bidirectional unit to operate as a converter when operating in the starting mode.

Abstract: Prior power conversion system operable in generating and starting modes have utililzed brushless generators which are suitable for only certain applications. In order to overcome this problem, a power conversion system operable in generating and starting modes utilizes a switched reluctance motor/generator which is reliable and inexpensive and which can be used in a variety of environments.

Abstract: A dual purpose alternator starter for an automotive vehicle designed to be positioned between the engine and transmission. In place of the ring gear in a conventional drive train assembly, a pair of off set magnetically permeable discs are bolted to the power shaft. These discs form an annular channel between them. A plurality of rare earth permanent magnets are mounted on the inside face of one of the discs in the channel. On the opposite side of this disc, a set of ring shaped switch contact members are mounted. Positioned stationary to the engine and within the channel is a stationary ironless stator assembly having flat copper windings embedded in an insulation matrix. These windings alternately pass from the perimeter of the disc towards the interior of the disc as each winding forms a single pass around the ring shaped disc.

Abstract: The problem of providing field power to a stationary main generator rotor is addressed such that it can be used as a synchronous or brushless dc motor. To that end, a dynamoelectric machine performs the dual-functions of an exciter generator and a rotating transformer integrated into a single unit (14). The heads (64) of the stator salient poles (60) include pole slots (68) for a primary transformer winding (34) for the rotating transformer, while the rotating armature winding (36) serves as the transformer secondary. To assist in starting the engine (10), external ac power (42) is applied to the primary transformer windings (34), coupled to armature windings (36), and rectified (44) to develop dc field power for the main generator (12).

Abstract: A power conversion system is operable in a generating mode to convert motive power developed by a prime mover into electrical power and in a starting mode to convert electrical power developed by a source of AC power into motive power for starting the prime mover. The system includes a stepped waveform inverter having a plurality of subinverters that are operable in the generating mode to produce rectangular waveforms wherein the waveforms are summed by a summing transformer to produce a stepped AC output waveform. During operation in the starting mode, the output of a rectifier bridge and an input of one of the subinverters are connected together by an interphase transformer. DC power is developed at a mid-tap of the interphase transformer and is delivered to the remaining subinverters which in turn develop AC power for operating a brushless generator as a motor.

Abstract: A starter-generator of an automobile is disclosed which comprises a stationary field coil wound and disposed coaxially around the rotational axis. The rotor comprises a pair of field pole forming members on which circumferentially alternating field poles are excited by the magnetic flux generated by the field coil. Armature coils connected in Y-connection are disposed around the rotor, and the terminals of the armature coils are coupled to the inputs of a three-phase rectifier circuit (used when the starter-generator acts as a starting motor) and the outputs of a armature current switching circuit (used when the starter-generator acts as a charging generator) which controls the flow of current through the armature coils so that a rotating magnetic field is formed. The starter-generator further comprises a pair of auxiliary coils which are wound and disposed around the rotational axis at both sides of the armature in the neighborhood of the rotor.

Abstract: A variable speed, constant frequency starter generator system is provided with a dynamoelectric machine, electrically connected to a multiple-phase bus and pair of multiple-phase rectifiers for producing a DC voltage on a pair of link conductors. An inverter converts the DC voltage to floating AC voltage which is further converted to a ground-referenced AC voltage by a transformer. During generator operation, the output voltage of the machine is rectified by at least one of the rectifiers to produce a DC voltage on the link conductors which is converted to a constant frequency AC voltage by the inverter. During starter operation, an externally supplied AC voltage is applied to the transformer. The transformer converts the externally applied AC voltage to a pair of phase-displaced AC voltages which are rectified by the pair of multiple phase rectifiers to produce twelve-pulse rectified DC voltage on the link conductors. This reduces the harmonic content of the current supplied by the external power source.

Abstract: Disclosed are a starter and power generator which starts an engine and which is subsequently driven by the engine to generate power, and a motor used in the starter, in particular, a self-controlled commutatorless motor in which a rotating magnetic field is developed across the stator in accordance with an angle of rotation of the rotor. Normally, output matching means is connected to the three phase windings of the stator, whereby an alternator is defined by the combination of the rotor, the stator and the output matching means. However, in response to a starting command, energizing means is substituted for the output matching means, whereby a combination of the rotor, the stator, timing means and energizing means form a commutatorless motor. Thus, subsequent to starting the engine, the motor is driven by the engine to generate power.

Abstract: A power conversion system is operable in a generating mode to convert motive power developed by a prime mover into electrical power and in a starting mode to convert electrical power developed by a source of AC power into motive power for starting the prime mover. The system includes a rectifier having an output coupled to a DC link, first and second inverters, each coupled to the DC link and transformer including first and second sets of primary windings and a set of secondary windings wherein the second set of primary winding is coupled to an output of the second inverter. Contactors are provided for coupling the rectifier to the generator armature windings and the first set of primary windings to an output of the first inverter so that AC power produced by the generator is converted into DC power on the DC link and the DC power is converted into fixed frequency AC power which is developed in the set of secondary windings.

Abstract: An excitation system for a brushless generator includes an exciter portion having a set of polyphase exciter field windings and an additional exciter field winding disposed in a stator of the generator, a source of polyphase, constant-frequency AC power and circuitry coupled to the set of polyphase field winding for connecting the source of polyphase, constant-frequency AC power thereto at a beginning of operation in a starting mode whereby AC power is induced in an exciter portion armature winding by transformer action. AC power is further provided to armature windings of a main generator portion to thereby cause a rotor of the generator to accelerate. An autotransformer is provided to reduce the voltage provided by the source of polyphase AC power prior to application of such power to the polyphase field windings so that the need for an auxiliary inverter is obviated.

Abstract: A starting system for an aircraft propulsion engine. An electrical motor (62 or 122) is mounted within a case (14) in which first and second hydraulic units (102, 104) are operated as part of a constant speed drive transmission. The electric motor accelerates a motor-generator set (24) to a velocity near the synchronous speed. The motor-generator set is coupled to the drive shaft (20) by operation of the hydraulic units as a variable torque link. The electric motor functions both as a heat source of hydraulic fluid contained within the hydraulic pump and motor case during extreme low temperature conditions at which point the starting torque of the motor is initially insufficient to cause rotation of the output shaft and to further accelerate the motor-generator set up to a rotational velocity at which the motor-generator set may be operated synchronously at which the motor-generator set is coupled to the drive shaft (120) by operation of the hydraulic units as a variable torque link to rotate the engine.

Abstract: A field core and an armature core are directly mounted on a cylinder block, and a clutch plate frictionally connected with a clutch disc is mounted through a cushioning material to a revolving-field poles mounted on the engine crankshaft, so that a space will be provided between the clutch plate at this frictionally connected area and the revolving-field poles, thereby insulating by the space the frictional heat at the clutch plate connection area caused by clutch connection and disconnection, thus restraining temperature rise of the revolving-field poles, and preventing deformation and damage of the revolving-field poles. The cushioning material has an effect to absorb various types of vibrations occurring with connection and disconnection between the clutch plate and the clutch disc.

Abstract: An electric generator organization, particularly adapted for small vehicles such as motorcycles, is described in which a rectifier mechanism electrically disposed between the stator and the rotor is mechanically connected to the rotor for rotation therewith during engine startup and disconnected therefrom during periods of normal engine operation. An operating circuit enables efficient transmission of electric current from the battery to starting coils in the generator only during the period of engine startup. During periods of normal engine operation, the transmission of electric current is from generating coils in the generator to the battery. Included in the operating circuit is an engine operation detector that prevents excessive current feed from the generator coils to the rectifier mechanism.

Abstract: A field coil is divided into the plural number, and each of these field coils is connected in parallel in relation to a battery at the time of engine starting, and in series during the generation of the electric current after engine starting, so that sufficient field electromotive force can be maintained in the event of a battery voltage drop during engine starting, and also a necessary, sufficient field electromotive force can be produced with little current at the time of voltage recovery during generator operation. Consequently, the amount of copper to be used for the field coils and a winding space can be decreased; therefore the present invention is effective to provide a light-weight, small and unexpensive engine starting and charging device.

Abstract: An initial start-up schedule is prepared based on given parameters relating to a thermal power plant and its operation. A dynamic characteristic model is prepared, permitting simulation of start-up characteristics which would be obtained if the thermal power plant is started according to the initial start-up schedule. Estimates are made of specified parameters, such as energy loss, the time interval between steam admission to an intermediate pressure turbine and steam admission to a high pressure turbine, and thermal stress of the power plant. Determination is made of whether the estimated values of the selected parameters are within predetermined allowable ranges or not. The initial start-up schedule is then corrected according to a predetermined rule depending upon whether the estimated values are determined to be within the predetermined allowable ranges or not. The estimating, determining, and correcting are repeated until an optimized start-up schedule is obtained.

Abstract: A starting device for an automobile motor in which an asynchronous motor (23) is used both as starting motor and generator. A number of solid state switches (10), forming part of an inverter, is arranged on a metal bar (7) extending along the stator (4) of the motor. The metal bar is connected to one terminal of a voltage supply (21). The stator conduits (9) are connected to a solid state switch and to the other terminal of the voltage supply.

Abstract: An AC exciter and a main AC generator are mounted on a common rotating shaft of an engine, and a power rectifier and a power inverter are connected in series to the output of the main AC generator. In starter mode, an external AC power source is connected by a switch to the input of the power rectifier, and the output of the power inverter is applied to an armature winding of the main AC generator to drive it as a nocommutator motor to start the engine. A permanent magnet AC generator is also mounted on the common shaft of the engine to provide DC excitation to the AC exciter after converting the output of the permanent magnet AC generator into DC current, and the output of the permanent magnet AC generator is further utilized to detect the rotational speed of the engine to control the switch.

Abstract: A starting system and method for starting a prime mover connected to a generator by an actuable torque link utilizes a hybrid permanent magnet/induction machine having a rotor coupled to a rotor of the main generator and a stator having windings therein. The method includes the step of applying AC power to the hybrid machine stator windings so that the hybrid machine initially acts as an induction motor to accelerate the hybrid machine rotor, following which the hybrid machine acts as a synchronous motor to rotate the main generator rotor at a particular speed DC power is then applied to a main generator field winding and AC power is supplied to a set of main generator armature windings so that the main generator operates as a synchronous motor to develop motive power the torque link is activated once the main generator is operating as a synchronous motor to bring the prime mover up to self-sustaining speed.

Abstract: A unitary starter motor and generator including a rotor assembly having a plurality of circumferentially disposed rare earth-iron permanent magnets, a stator assembly within which said rotor assembly is rotatable, said stator assembly including a laminated annular stator body formed from a silicon containing iron alloy of high electrical resistivity and low magnetic loss, and a multiphase stator winding secured to the inner periphery of said stator body and lying in the airgap defined between the stator body and the rotor assembly.

Abstract: Prior starting/generating systems which operate a generator as a motor to start a prime mover have been inefficient since motive power was delivered to the prime mover through hydrostatic trim and differential components of a constant speed drive interposed between the prime mover and the generator. In order to overcome this problem, means are provided between the prime mover and the generator for bypassing these components of the constant speed drive when operating in a starting mode so that motive power is transferred directly to the prime mover. This, coupled with the fact that the generator is operated as a motor responsive to generator speed and/or generator power factor, increases the efficiency of the system when in the starting mode.

Abstract: An electric generator for vehicles is disclosed including an armature having starting coils, generating coils and a starting current supply path assembly for supplying electrical current from a power supply to the starting coils. The electric generator also includes a field element having a set of field magnets for providing a magnetic field which interacts with the magnetic field of the starting coils during a start-up sequence of the engine of the vehicle. The field magnets also generate a magnetic field after the start-up sequence has been completed to induce an electrical current in the generating coils during operation of the engine so as to provide electrical energy for the engine. The starting coils are arranged concentrically inside the set of field magnets and the generating coils are arranged concentrically inside the starting coils.

Abstract: Inefficiencies in electrical starter-generator systems for turbine engines are avoided in a construction including a dynamoelectric machine 16 operable as a motor or as a generator and having a rotor 26, a hydraulic torque converter 70 including an impeller 80 connected to the rotor 26 and a turbine 86. A system 94, 96 is provided for selectively providing hydraulic fluid to the torque converter 70 and a constant speed drive 112, 142, 144 is included. Overrunning clutches 108 and 158 interconnect the turbine 86 and an input for the constant speed drive for allowing the input to overrun the turbine 86 but not the reverse, and for interconnecting the rotor 26 and an output 130 of the constant speed drive for allowing the rotor 26 to overrun the output 130.

Abstract: A starter generator system is provided with a dynamoelectric machine having a stator and a rotor which is mounted for rotation with respect to the stator. The rotor carries a main field winding, an exciter armature winding and means for rectifying the output of the exciter armature winding to provide DC excitation for the main rotating field winding. A main armature winding is mounted on the stator and magnetically coupled to the main field winding. An exciter portion of the stator supports both a multiple phase AC exciter field winding and a distributed DC exciter field winding, both of which are mounted to be magnetically coupled to the exciter armature winding. A variable voltage, variable frequency power converter is capable of being alternatively connected to drive the dynamoelectric machine as a starting motor or to receive power from the machine during generator operation.

Abstract: An integrated drive generator system in which all of the main components of the system are mounted for operation about a single centerline. A housing mounts a drive input shaft. A differential is coupled to and arranged coaxially of the drive input shaft. A generator is coupled to the differential and includes a rotor coaxially of the drive input shaft. A hydraulic log includes a hydraulic pump and motor assembly coupled to the differential and arranged coaxially of the drive input shaft. An exciter also is employed coaxially of the drive input shaft, surrounding the differential, and a compact cooling system includes cooling passages integral with the housing and in close proximity to the stator of the generator.

Abstract: An electrical machine comprising a stator having electrical windings and a permanent-magnet rotor which carries a shaft arranged for connection to a prime mover. The machine, when the shaft is driven by a prime mover, acts as an alternator to produce alternating electrical current. A commutator is provided on the shaft and electrical-current-transferring brushes are associated with the commutator. Means is electrically associated with the segments of the commutator and with the electrical windings on the stator so that, whe the brushes are connected to a source of direct electrical current, the machine acts as a motor and the shaft is caused to rotate for starting a prime mover connected to the shaft.

Abstract: A starter/generator in combination with a dual battery dual voltage motor vehicle electrical system and an equalization circuit for maintaining substantially equal charge on the batteries. In starting, the starter/generator is operated as an equivalent series motor from the serial combination of the two batteries to crank the engine. Upon starting, the starter/generator supplies charging current at one or the other of the system voltages, depending on the engine speed. At all times, the equalization circuit transfers energy from one battery to the other as required to maintain balanced battery voltages.

Abstract: Described is a method of starting an electric starting motor for an internal combustion engine. The motor shaft has a pinion at the shaft end for meshing with a ring gear provided to the engine. The pinion is shifted by a shift lever into a position meshing with the ring gear, after which the starting motor is excited for causing rotation of the ring gear and thereby starting the engine. According to the invention, until the time the pinion engages the ring gear, brush means of the starting motor are shifted away from the electrically neutral axis towards pole sides of the permanent magnet of the motor where the main magnetic field produced by the magnet is strengthened by the armature-reaction magnetic fluxes. After the pinion is engaged with the ring gear, said brush means are returned again to their positions on said neutral axis.

Abstract: To permit manufacture of starter components with substantial tolerance, while maintaining the axial play of the armature of the starter within tight tolerances, and permit adjustment of the tolerance of the axial play after assembly of the starter component together, an end face (33) of the shaft (4) projects beyond the respective end bearing, which is retained a housing projecting beyond the bearing by the distance of an adjustment plug (29) slightly smaller than the longest shaft--in the light of tolerances--of the starter. An axial play compensation spacer in form of a washer or disc (FIG. 2--35), a ring (FIG. 3--35a) or a centrally held ball (FIG. 4--35b) is placed between the end face (36) of the plug and the end face (33) of the shaft, the plug being formed with an abutment surface (31) which engages an engagement surface (32) at the outside of the housing adjacent the bearing.

Abstract: A starter motor housing comprising a tubular housing formed by an annular wall having a thickened wall portion adjacent the stator winding of the starter motor. The stator cores abut against and are secured to the inner periphery of the thickened wall portion to increase the flux path and, thus, the effective flux energy produced by the stator windings. However, the thickened wall portion is disposed intermediate radially reduced wall end portions to reduce the weight and size of the motor housing. Preferably, the tubular housing is an iron casting.

Abstract: A starter apparatus comprises a D.C. motor, a solenoid actuator, a hollow sleeve having at one end thereof a pinion and a one way clutch. A torque of an armature of the D.C. motor is transmitted through the one way clutch to the hollow sleeve and further transmitted to a ring gear of an engine, which is engaged with a pinion of the hollow sleeve, thereby performing a start up of the engine. The engagement or disengagement between the pinion and the ring gear is carried out by means that the solenoid actuator reciprocates only the hollow sleeve through a shift lever.

Abstract: A power conversion system for converting between electric and motive power may be utilized either in a generating mode to generate electric power from motive power supplied by a prime mover or in a starting mode wherein motive power is developed by the power conversion system from electrical power and is supplied through a torque converter to the prime mover to start same. The power conversion system includes a main generator, an exciter and a permanent magnet generator, or PMG, which together comprise a brushless alternator. When operated in the starting mode, power is supplied to the PMG to cause it to act as a motor and thereby drive a rotor which is common to the PMG, exciter and main generator. Once a predetermined operating condition of the generator is attained, the main generator is supplied power from a motor control to cause the generator to act as a synchronous motor and the power supply to the PMG is disconnected.

Abstract: The same electrical machine geared to the fly-wheel of a vehicle engine serves as the starter and as the generator. This machine is excited by permanent magnets on a rotor and its stator is wound with two phase windings offset from each other by 90.degree. electrical. Half-bridge rectifiers are utilized in a circuit cooperating with the center tap of each winding for charging the battery in generator operation, cooperating with a unit including at least one MOSFET for regulating the charging current. In motor operation the winding center taps are connected to one pole of the battery and the common connection of the MOSFETs is connected to the other pole of the battery so that these devices can operate as d.c. to a.c. converter elements for providing pulses in proper sequence to the erstwhile generator to make it operate as a motor.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrical aircraft engine start and generating system for use in an aircraft having an engine driven torque converter coupled to an alternator which provides AC power for conversion to DC and AC power. The system includes a reversible AC to DC converter controllably electrically coupled to the alternator and a controller unit to provide DC power in a generating mode. The reversible AC to DC converter is capable of receiving externally supplied DC power to be converted to AC power to drive the alternator as a motor in a start mode. A DC to AC converter is controllably electrically coupled to the controller unit and the DC power output during the generating mode. The reversible DC to AC converter in the start mode is mutually controllably electrically coupled to the externally supplied DC power.